Expansible dispensing device for containers



8, 1950 A. H. JENSON 2,518,145

EXPANSIBLE DISPENSING DEVICE FOR CONTAINERS Filed April 16, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l 4 l 0 E 12 22-912 Zbr fig- 4 557. Z EJ29211 51/912591] Aug. 8, 1950 A. H. JENSON 2,518,145

EXPANSIBLE DISPENSING DEVICE FOR CONTAINERS Filed April 16, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fiillllllllllllllllllllIll] 'l .EZ'EZZZZZZZ" Patented Aug. 8, 1 950 OFFICE.

EXPANSIBLE DISPENSING DEVICE FOR CONTAINERS Arthur H. J enson, Evanston, Ill.

Application April 16, 1945, Serial No. 588,644

4 Claims.

This invention relates to an expansible unit for use in the dispensing of flowable material from containers and more particularly to a combination expansible bellows filler and closure cap for bottles and the like.

In the dispensing of fluid from containers such for example as carbonated beverages from bottles, it has been the practice heretofore Where the contents have not all been used to cap the bottle so as to assist in preventing deterioration of the remaining contents. Nothwithstanding this precaution, however, I have observed that the unused portion of the product in the container would still tend to deteriorate over a period of time.

An object of this invention is to provide a better way of protecting the unused portion of the contents of the container, as Well as to efiectively seal the discharge end of the container.

Another object of this invention is to provide an expansible bellows filler bodily insertable through a discharge opening of a container and which may be expanded in the container to displace the air from the space formerly occupied by the dispensed portion of the product.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a combination cap and expansible filler for use with a container from which the product is to be progressively dispensed or used.

A still further object of this invention is to 'provide a filler and cap for containers which is economical to manufacture and which may be used over and over again.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a filler and cap for containers such as bottles and the like which is of a highly sanitary character and which lends itself to ready cleaning after each use.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an expansible bladder structure adapted for use in assisting in the forcing of flowable material from a container.

In accordance with the general features of this invention there is provided in a fluid holding structure including a container having a given opening, a filler unit projecting through said opening into the interior of said container and including an expansible bladder inside the container and means projecting to the exterior of the container for expanding the bladder to fill the space formerly occupied by fluid dispensed from the container.

Another feature of the invention relates to the forming of the exterior portion of the filler unit into a cap for snap-on cooperation with a nor- 2 tion of the container, such for example as the neck of a bottle.

Yet another feature of the invention relates to the provision at the exterior portion of a container filler unit with a rotary knob for expanding and contracting the bladder or diaphragm in the container in the dispensing of flowable material from the container.

Other objects and features of this invention will more fully appear from the following detail description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a single embodiment thereof, and in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a container in the form of a bottle having applied thereto my novel bellows and sealing device and showing the bellows in an expanded condition;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view partly in elevation with my novel bellows and seal device showing it removed from the bottle and illustrating the bellows in its contracted form;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through the upper end of the bottle and sealing device and corresponding to the upper end of Fig. 1;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line IV--IV of Fig. 3 looking downwardly;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the expansible bellows portion of my device and showing the bellows in an open condition, parts of the central rod being broken away;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line VI-VI of Fig. 5 looking downwardly and showing the bottom structure of my filler device;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line VII-VII of Figure 1 looking downwardly; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of my invention applied to a modified form of con- 'tainer.

As shown on the drawings:

At the outset it should be noted that While I have illustrated my invention as being applied to a container in the form of a bottle, it is not to be thus limited since it may be used with equal advantage inother forms of containers and with many different types of liquids and fluids. For illustration, this invention is adapted for use in connection with the packaging or bottling of soft drinks, beer, food, such as catsup, syrup, milk, and cream, cosmetics such as cream, toothpaste, etc., inks, paints and varnish, etc. In fact it may be used in any container where the contents are to be withdrawn and it is desired to fill up the space previously occupied by the withdrawn fluid so as to eliminate air from such space.

The bottle If! is of substantially a conventional construction and includes the usual pouring neck II which is provided with an enlarged annular shoulder !2 directly below the top of the bottle. This shoulder defines an annular groove i3 in which a rolled or spring edge l5 of a cap 14 is snapped orsprun'g. A suitable gasket 9 of any sealing material such as rubber or synthetic rubber may be disposed between the cap and the upper extremity of the bottle. (Fig. 3.)

The edge I5 as shown in Fig: 2 may be serrated to augment its resiliency and may be provided, as is customary in bottle caps, with an internal split spring wire i (Fig. 3) for insuringatight grip of the cap on the bottle or container, such as will resist turning or upward displacement or" the cap.

The cap [4 is preferably made of metal and may comprise 'a sheet metal stamping. -It -ineludes an upwardly-extending frusto=conical=like portion lfi'prdvided with two pouring openings I? which may be'di'ametrically opposite each other. The top of the cap 14 is aperturedand has fitted therein the upper end of a metallic sleeve or tube i8 which may be secured to the cap by means of solder l9 so as to provide a seal-tight connection therewith.

Rdtatably mounted "on the'frusto-c'onical portion 16 or the cap is a flow controlling member iflhav'ing diametrically opposite handle portions 2l2l by means of which this member may be manually turned. In addition, this member is provided with diametrically opposite openings 22 22 which, when the bottle is sealed and closed, are at 9Q to the openings l1'l'| in the cap as best-shown in Figure 4. By rotating this handle member 20 90 it'is possibleto bring the openings 22 -22 into register with the openings l7l'| at which time the contents may be poured from the bottle.

Extending through the tube or sleeve 43 is a vertical rodlB which has its upper end; fitted in a socket in a rotatable cap member 2-5. The socketed 11ml "end of the rod 23 may be secured as by means "of a pin 24 'to the cap member 25 which is disposed directly over and on; top of the handle mmbertfl; This'cap-member 25 maybe provided \fithtransversea-ir vents 26 (Fig-3);

The adjusting cap'or knob -25-is r'eadilyaccess'ible for the maii'ual turningof the rod 2-3 to oper'at'e the "expansible and hontra'ctible bellows or bladderbf my invention to 'be-described hereinafter. This cap is supported directly on topof the dispenser "member '20 and provides through the "vents 26 for "the-passage "of air 'afound the rod 23 and inside of the sleeve 18 in the expansion and contractiono'f the bellows. The dispensing member 'Nfihtiwever', -'is so arranged relative to the metallic cap N that it may be readily turned to either open or close the dispensing apertures I1 in the-"metallic cap, which not only controls the aisciiargeof thebottle contentsbut also the discharge of air from the'bottle when the bellows isf expande'd.

Now as best shown in "Figure 5,"-the central adjusting rod 23-extends downward-lythrough the sleeve I8'which terminatesa slight distance below the neck of the bottle and "in thevicinity of the uppr end "of the *expans'ible bellows to be how describes.

Oh e-"low'er extre'ihi'ty of thesleeve it there is mounted a block or *collar 21 s'uita-bl secured asby ihahsoi' soldm to the' sl'eeve itse -21s to 'be held stationary. This block has an annular groove 28 in which is held the upper end of a flexible or fabric sheet 30. This end of the sheet 30 may be secured in place on the block 2'1 by means of wire wrapping 29 or the like.

The sheet comprises an expansible diaphragm and is preferably made of a rubber-like material, such for example as synthetic rubber, plastic or a suitably impregnated fabric. This sheet may also, if desired, be pleated so as to have an accordian-like action in addition to being stretchable. The material used, however, must be sufficiently pliable that it may be expanded and contracted and yet must be both air-tight and water-tight and not affected by the product with which the device is to be used.

I shall now proceed to describe in detail the mechanical means employed for expanding and cohtracting the bellows or diaphragm although it is to be understood that any suitable means may be'used for this purpose.

The block Z-Talso has an annular groove 3! in whichI secure'the'up'per endsof a-plurallty of flexible ribs '33. The upper extremities of these ribs 33 may be connected to a suitable snap-ring 32 which isresiliently snapped into retained engage'ment with the block 2? inside of the groove 31. The ribs 33 extend downwardly along the inner surface or" the bladder or membrane 30 and have their lower ends provided with a snap-ring 34 which holds the endstogether and which snapring is retained in a roove 35 in a block 36 threaded on a rod 3'! disposed in axial alignment with the upper rod 23. I preferably make the central-supporting rod structure of the expansible bellows of two pieces so as to facilitate the assembly of the parts in the manufacture of the device. The abutting ends of the two rods 23 and -31;a-re disposed inside of a connecting sleeve or -'coupling to which the ends of the rods are fastened asby means of pins 39-39.

Thelc'wer end of the rod 31 has secured thereto-ablock 40 which provided with an annular groove 4-! in which the lower portion of the membraneor diaphragm 30=is fastened as by means of wirew-rapping 42. The bottom of the block is recessed to accommodate a screw head or a nut 43 on the lower-extremity of the rod so that the rod is held in the block 4?! against upward displacement but is freely rotatable therein.

The block is alsoprovided with an annular groove 44 in which I secure the lower extremities of another-setof expansible ribs 45. The lower ends of i the ribs 45 may be secured as by means of a snap-ring 45a in the groove 44. V

-T-he upper extremities of the ribs 45 extend through spaces between the ribs 33 so as to be interlaced with the ribs 33. In other words, the ribs ;45 and 33 alternate with each other. Any suitable number of ribs may be used although it is contemplated that satisfactory results may be obtained by employing siX ribs in each set asis shown in Figure]. v

The upper extremities of the ribs '45 are secured by'mean of a snap-ring K6 in a groove 4-! formed-in a-block'48 threaded on the upper ew- .l

It should be noted that the threads 49 on the upper rod's'houl'd be opposite from the threads "50 "on the Tower rod. For illustration,

the threads as "ch rod '23 may be left-hand threads whereas the threads 50 onrod '31 may be'i'i'ght harid threads.

Now in the useof my device theedjusting cap or ln'ob 45 1's turned so as to collapse the membrane or diaphragm 30 to the position shown in Figure 2. Thereafter, the collapsed diaphragm structure may be inserted bodily downward into the interior of the container of bottle and the metal cap I4 may be snapped over the neck of the bottle as shown in Figure 1.

To pour the contents from the bottle it is only necessary to turn the handle member 20 so as to bring the discharge spouts 2222 into register with the dispenser openings ||--I'l.

After or as a part of the contents of the bottle has been or is being removed, it is desirable to fill the space left by the displaced contents so as to eliminate air from the bottle. This may be simply effected by turning the adjusting knob in a clockwise direction which causes the rods 23 and 31 of the expansible bellows device to rotate thus causing the threaded blocks to be moved toward each other (Fig. 1) and thereby bulging radially outwardly the flexible ribs 33 and 43 thus expanding the membrane or bellows 39. In this respect it should be noted that by reason of the overlapping of the two sets of ribs 33 and 45 a greater expanse of diaphragm is made possible in the limited confines of the container and with the limited amount of movement that is available. This is also in part due to the fact that the diaphragm or membrane 30 extends over the gap between the adjoining ends of the ribs 33 and 45 as shown in Fig. l and thus is stretched between as well as directly at the areas of bearing of the ribs on the diaphragm 30.

As the bellows is expanded the air in the bottle :is displaced and is caused to travel upwardly out of the aligned openings I1 and 22. In this manner substantiall all of the air occupying the space of the displaced contents of the bottle may be expelled from the bottle by the expanded bellows or diaphragm. Moreover, this process can be continued as the contents of the bottle are drained or withdrawn thereby insuring that the remaining portion of the contents will be substantially free from contact with any substantial amount of air.

The expanding of the bellows may also be used to assist in forcing the contents out of the container by a direct push on the material; and this feature is particularly of advantage in the case of more viscous materials such as pastes, catsups, creams, mustards or the like.

After all of the contents have been withdrawn from the bottle the bellows may be contracted by turning the cap or adjusting knob 25 in a counter-clockwise direction thus collapsing the bellows to the condition shown in Fig. 2 after which the bellows and the cap assembly may be removed as a unit from the bottle for re-use in another container.

It should be noted that after each dispensing operation the handles 2| on the member 20 may I be manipulated to turn the member and thus close the discharge openings l'|-l1. The frustoconical line of contact between the member 20 and the cap portion It provides a tight sealed engagement between these parts. In other words, the member l6 and the member 20 cooperate as parts of the valve adapted to be open and closed in the dispensing of the contents from the container.

However, if for any reason a pressure should be built up in the container as when, for example, the rotary knob 25 has been turned with- Out openin the valve, the member 20 can rise slightly off of its seat to an extent sufficient to relieve the pressure in the bottle.

My invention permits of an ideal dispensing of the product in that the top of the product in the container is always the first-to be dispensed thereby enabling dispensing ofthe portion of the contents which has been in contact with the air. An advantage of this is that it will tend to preclude discoloration or deterioration of the product, which is important in the case of some materials, such as catsup, mustard,

etc.

In addition, due to the spacing between the diaphragm 30, when expanded, and the inner surface of the container as shown in Figure 7, the use of my device will not result in stratifica tion of the contents of the bottle as thematerial is always free to pass along side theexpanded bellows between the ribs.

In the case of some containers such as chemical holders, carboys, jars and beer barrels, it is desirable to use more than one opening forthe container and for that reason I do not wish to be limited to the application of my invention only to a dispensing opening. In other words, it is possible with my invention to expand the bellows through one opening in the container and yet remove the contents from one or more other openings which may be provided with independent closure means or stoppers.

To the foregoing end, I have illustrated in Fig,- ure 8 a modification of the invention wherein. my same filler unit described previously and as best shown in Figure 2 is shown as applied to a container 60 having an independent discharge spout 6i provided with a cap or closure 62 which may be removed or opened, when it is desired to pour the contents from the container. The container ID has a reduced or neck portion 63 in the opening of which extends my novel expansible bellows unit. I have shown the same numerals as being applied to this unit since it may be identical to the one previously illustrated. The only difference between this form of the invention and the aforesaid is that the contents of the container need not be dispensed through the openings 22 but may be dispensed through the spout 6| upon the opening of the closure cap 62. As a matter of fact either one of these dispensing openings could be used.

While I have in the preferred form of my invention disclosed herein shown a particular means for expanding and contracting the bladder, it is of course to be understood that other suitable means could be employed for this purpose without deviating from the broad phases of my invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

From the foregoing it is clear that I have provided an expansible and contractible filler for containers as well as a sealing device which may be economically manufactured and which may be repeatedly reused. In addition the device lends itself to ready cleaning after its removal from the bottle and can be stored in a compact space ready for future use.

All of the parts may be easily manufactured from existing material and on a large production basis. The blocks 21, 48, 36 and 40 may be made from any suitable metallic material as is likewise the case of the rods 23 and 31. The ribs 45 and 33 may be made of any suitable springy material, such for example as steel strips or the like.

As noted before the actual diaphragm or membrane of, the device may be made 01 any one or a opening in said container and supported by said rod adjacent. the lower end thereof, a second block insertable through the opening in said container and spaced from said first block, a bellowsattached between the. two, blocks, a plu: ralityof ribs pivotally carried by one of said blocks within said bellows and means carried by said cap. to expand the ribs outwardly to ex= pend the bellows.

2. In an expansible element for a beverage container or the like and which container includes an opening, a cap insertable over the opening in said container, a rod carried by and depending from said cap, va block insertable through the opening in said container and dis: posed about said rod, a second block supported about said rod and insertable through the open-.- ing in saidcontainer and spaced from said first block, a bellows attached between the two blocks, a plurality of ribs attached to .said first. block and means to expand the ribs outwardiy'toexpand the bellows.

3. Inan expansible element for beverage con: tainers or the like, said container havinga neck andan opening through said neck, a capadapted to fit over said neck and be secured thereon, an aperture in said cap to permit dispensing of .liquid from said container through said opening, a rod held from said cap projecting through said open:

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UNITED STATES PATENTS 

